After a very important victory on Saturday against Bristol City at London Road Posh’s attention now turns to another tie where they will be aiming to pick up maximum of three points, against Doncaster away.
Rovers’ season hasn’t gone to plan so far and the club currently find themselves at the bottom of the table – 13 points behind Posh. And with Peterborough United now 12 points clear of the drop-zone a win here will almost confirm their safety.
The Doncaster Rovers View
Ahead of the game I spoke to Glen Wilson (https://twitter.com/#!/vivarovers) from one of the finest club blogs on the internet which has unfortunately close-down recently, but is still worth a look – http://vivarovers.wordpress.com/popular-stand/. Glen now writes for the Doncaster Rovers Fanzine, Popular Stand Fanzine, which can be found here – http://popularstand.tumblr.com/
We’ll start with Sean O’Driscoll. I know you were fairly outspoken when he left the club, but I personally really enjoyed reading your work on his sacking. Do you still feel so against it now?
It wasn’t simply a case of just being against O’Driscoll’s sacking, there were many factors involved, but what irked most was the manner and timing of it. Had it just been down to results then I could have begrudgingly accepted it, though I am a huge admirer of Sean’s ethos and approach, I concede that 19 games without a win is pretty desperate stuff in the climate of modern football. But to see him shown the door so swiftly (Dean Saunders had been told he was to be the new manager before O’Driscoll knew he was an ex-manager), just a day after being backed publically in the press by the Chairman (and with key players Brian Stock and Billy Sharp due back from long term absence the next day), and then being hung out to dry as a scapegoat for all the club’s current ills in the subsequent months was a terrible way totreat a man who had delivered the club so much.
And what are your thoughts on his replacement, Dean Saunders? He doesn’t seem to have made the desired impact.
Its really hard to judge Saunders as an individual as he is bracketed within the club’s change of transfer policy and introduction of non-employee Willie McKay to the midst. Saunders benefitted early on from the return of Billy Sharp and Brian Stock from injury, and a decent bit of luck (only conceding one at London Road being an example). There have been good performances such as the home wins over Southampton and Leicester, but there have been abjectly awful games against Leeds, Barnsley and Notts County. The difference for me really is that under O’Driscoll and Dave Penney before him I could see what they were trying to do tactically. With Saunders I can’t really grasp it. Of course a revolving door transfer policy can’t be helping him, nor can taking over in the relegation zone so I’ll afford him some benefit of the doubt, but in all honesty I’ve not been greatly impressed.
Willie McKay’s involvement at the club seems a little conspicuous. What is your opinion on his role?
The club insist he has no official role, he’s a non-contracted advisor. It’s subjective really. When he’s getting into scuffles with supporters, as he did at the Notts County game, his actions are independent of the club, yet when he’s appearing on television promoting his methods he is representing Rovers. Some people see the signing of Diouf and Beye as justifications for his presence, but personally I think McKay’s involvement is to the detriment of the club and the encouraging reputation it had developed over the previous decade.
It’s no secret that you’ve brought in some fairly high profile players of late, including El Hadji-Diouf and Habib Beye. How have the performed so far?
These two are stand out players. Their ability cannot be questioned, that much is certain. Beye is a calm, composed and experienced centre-half and Diouf’s talents clearly belong on a higher platform. But there are reasons why they are both at Doncaster; Beye spends most of the week in France and jets over to Rovers for matches – which other team would allow that? Diouf’s reputation of course proceeds him and he’s reportedly been involved in scuffles in the tunnel at each of Rovers’ last two matches, notably the one which followed the Leeds match and resulted in the local constabulary locking the two sides in their respective changing rooms. They have performed very well, but they each bring unnecessary baggage to a struggling club.
The January transfer window saw you lose Billy Sharp, how big an impact do you think his departure will make?
A huge one. The thing with Sharp is that no how badly Rovers performed, with him on the field there was always a chance that the ball would drop in the box and he would be there to do what he does and put it in the net. With respect to James Hayter, who works his socks off each and every game, he is not the Gerd Muller-like goal-getter that Sharp was for Rovers, and without the latter we can look decidedly toothless. Tellingly, since Sharp has departed, Rovers have become increasingly aware of the results of other sides near the foot of the table.
Are there any Posh players that you are particularly wary of?
The set-piece delivery of McCann and the pace and power of Sinclair are probably the most key concerns ahead of Saturday.
Finally, do you think Doncaster can stay up this season and what is your prediction for Saturday’s result?
Of course it’s possible, more so since Portsmouth’s points deduction. Rovers are only four points from safety with a game in hand on those around them. If Doncaster are to stay up then home form is vital, and so winning matches like this one against other sides in and around the bottom quarter (yes, I realise you’re 18th not 19th) is a must. I don’t really do prediction; 5-5?
Likely Line-Ups
Key Players
Doncaster Rovers: El Hadji-Diouf – An undoubted talent with a rather checkered history. As already stated Diouf is a player who’s ability is far too good for the Championship, but his commitment to Doncaster Rovers can easily be questioned. Pacey and skillful if he decides to turn up he can be a handful even at the top level but if he doesn’t he can be petulant and a liability. If Rovers are to stay up they will need Diouf to find his top form and start threatening defences like he can.
Peterborough United: Ryan Bennett – The centre back will be departing Peterborough for the Premier League after this game and will looking for a grand send-off. Alongside Gabriel Zakuani he has formed a very solid partnership and has been a central figure in Posh’s success so far this season. Three points would be the perfect end to his career at London Road and Bennett will be determined to get them.
Match Odds (William Hill)
Doncaster 11/8 – Draw 12/5 – Peterborough 19/10